March 2023 MBR The Humor Shelf

The Humor Shelf

Why Are You Like This?
Meg Adams
Andrews McMeel Publishing
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9781524874261, $16.99, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Are-You-Like-This/dp/1524874264

Synopsis: Once again for a whole new generation of readers, "Why Are You Like This?" (a compendium of comic scenarios by Meg Adams) helps to answer life's most pressing questions such as: Is my partner actually upset or just hangry? Whose turn is it to remember the reusable shopping bags? Is it appropriate to put up Halloween decor two months in advance? (Spoiler alert: Yes. Yes, it is.)

"Opposites attract" has never rung truer when it comes to vivacious extrovert Meg and her level-headed introvert husband, Carson. Carson makes his coffee with only the finest locally roasted beans; Meg microwaves two-day-old joe. Carson is reserved and rarely opens up to friends; Meg ensures everyone in her life (including her mailman) knows about her hemorrhoid.

From the joys of marrying your best friend to the bizarre musings of a twelve-pound pup to the humor and heartbreak of anxiety, Meg's all-too-relatable comics leave no stone unturned.
Dorky and downright hilarious, "Why Are You Like This?" explores what it means to make fun of oneself and find laughter in the little things.

Critique: Just to give two examples of the kind of humor that is Meg Adams signature style:

"Oh! Wow! This is an actual book! It's so professional! There's even a barcode. This is the best book ever!!!" -Meg's Mom

"Sigh... why do you have to be shirtless in so many comics? How is this book going to sell in a gas station in rural Montana?" -Meg's Dad

A fun read from first page to last, "Why Are You Like This?" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library Contemporary Humor collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of comics humor fans that "Why Are You Like This?" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle. $9.99).

Editorial Note: Meg Adams (https://artbymoga.com) is a comic artist and author based in Bend, Oregon. She can be found avoiding direct sunlight, sipping hot cocoa and working on a variety of projects ranging from comics to illustration. Meg lives with her better half, Carson, and their two spoiled little dogs: Boedy and Luna.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review